Zion National Park
Zion National Park
Zion is a 40 minute car ride from Hurricane, UT where my sister lives. My son arrived yesterday for a week of hiking in Utah and the three of us hit the road early to ensure we got a parking spot inside Zion National Park. We drove into the park and parked close to the entrance where Zion Canyon Brew Pub was located, just outside the park. My sister clearly had done this before and planned this one well for a post hiking brew.
We found our way to the bus stop and rode up the canyon to the entrance to The Narrows Riverside Walk at the end of the canyon.
The Narrows Riverside Walk
The hike along the Narrows is more like a stroll. It’s a world-renowned hike that takes visitors through a stunning slot canyon carved by the Virgin River. When the water is lower, visitors can wade through the river itself.
The scenery on the Narrows River Walk is nothing short of breathtaking. The canyon walls rise up to over 1,000 feet in some places, and the light filtering through the narrow passage creates a dramatic and ever-changing visual display. Visitors can also take in the natural beauty of the river itself, which is crystal-clear and dotted with boulders and sandbars.
During our visit, we observed the river rushing two feet deep through the canyon. Fortunately, the trail is elevated to protect visitors from the current during this time of year. The Narrows River Walk is an unforgettable experience that allows visitors to fully immerse themselves in the natural beauty of Zion National Park and witness the breathtaking geological formations that have taken shape over millions of years. Additionally, the trail appears to be largely accessible for those with mobility impairments.
Scout Lookout Trail
The Scout Lookout Trail is a popular hike that offers stunning views of the park's iconic formations, including Angel's Landing. The hike is approximately 4 miles round-trip and involves a steep climb with a 1,000-foot elevation gain. A special pass is needed to hike the Angle’s Landing portion of the trail.
The trail is well-maintained and offers stunning vistas along the way, with the final ascent to the lookout providing particularly breathtaking views. The trail itself is relatively narrow and exposed in some areas, so visitors should come prepared with proper hiking gear and exercise caution. This is rated as a hard trail by AllTrals. It was very obvious that some people weren’t prepared for such a hike. We saw one man begin to faint, stagger towards the cliff and then come back crashing into the canyon wall. He was out cold, face bloodied and unresponsive. An EMT was walking by and came into action.
On the way down, we saw a man, frozen, clinging to the rock wall unable to move. His girl friend was coaching him a long. He had obviously had a panic attack and wasn’t able to move.
There’s a section of the trail known as Walter’s Wiggles that zig-zags up the side of the rock. It is a series of 21 steep switchbacks that climb up the final section of the trail to Scout Lookout.
Once visitors reach the Scout Lookout, they can take in panoramic views of Zion National Park's spectacular scenery, including the towering cliffs, the Virgin River, and the surrounding canyon landscape. The lookout is a great spot for photos and a well-deserved break before heading back down the trail.
This is a challenging yet rewarding hike that offers unforgettable views of Zion National Park's natural beauty. It's a must-do for any visitor to the park who is up for the climb and ready to be rewarded with stunning views.
Emerald Pools Loop
The Emerald Pools Hike is a family-friendly hike that starts on the other side of the river from The Lodge. Entering the trail, hikers can go right or left. For some reason, most hikers go to the right and we were told the left route flows much better. The hike features a series of three pools, each with its own unique characteristic and charm.
The Upper Emerald Pool is the first pool in this direction on the hike, at approximately .6 miles from the trailhead. It's the smallest of the three pools, but its secluded location and stunning views make it a tranquil and peaceful spot to take in the natural beauty of the park. We had to remove our shoes to cross the freezing waters that flowed over the cliff 30 feet to our right. The rocks were very smooth and easy to walk across. Once on the other side, I found that I was filled with energy again.
The Middle Emerald Pool is a bit further up the trail, at about 1.2 miles from the trailhead. It's slightly more challenging to get to, with a steeper climb up a set of rock stairs, but the views of the surrounding canyon and the cascading waterfall that feeds the pool are well worth it.
The Lower Emerald Pool is the last pool on this hike, and it's an easy walk back down to the trailhead. The pool itself is fed by a small waterfall and surrounded by lush greenery, making it a picturesque spot for a picnic or a quick dip.
Zion Canyon Brew Pub
We took the park bus from the lodge back to the main entrance and walked to the car. The Zion Canyon Brew Pub was a few hundred feet across the walking bridge into the park. We stopped at a sporting good store beside the restaurant to pickup crampons for our snowy hike in Bryce National Park the next day.
The food at the brew pub was your basic pub food and beer. We relaxed after a long day of beautiful hiking in an amazing national park.
Fairfield Inn - Zion
We thought the Fairfield Inn was in Springdale beside the park, but it was about 20 miles outside in the town of Virgin, Utah. Despite this, the hotel was rather new and very relaxing.